Transcriptomic Analysis of Caco-2 Cells Co-cultured with KERP2-related Entamoeba histolytica Strains

KERP2 is a secreted parasitic factor in Entamoeba histolytica that interacts with host colon epithelial cells, potentially contributing to pathogenesis. To investigate its influence on host gene expression, RNA-seq was performed on Caco-2 cells co-cultured with HA-KERP2-overexpressing E. histolytica (HA-KERP2), psAP-KERP2gs (partial KERP2 knockdown), or wild-type G3 strains, alongside untreated controls. Differential expression analysis identified upregulation of key pro-inflammatory mediators (IL1B, IL36G), signaling adapters (SLA), and heme-related genes (HRG) in HA-KERP2-treated cells, while cytoskeletal regulators (CYTIP, MYOCD), stress-response factor (NUPR1), and solute transporters (SLC15A3) were downregulated. In contrast, psAP-KERP2gs-treated cells exhibited increased expression of extracellular matrix components (TNC), contractility regulators (MYL7), and metabolic enzymes (CYP4B1), while genes involved in cilia function (CFAP43), solute transport (SLC2A12), and the pentose phosphate pathway (TKTL1) were downregulated.